Siruper



June 17, 1924.

E. C. NORTHRUP SIRUPER Filed Dec. 29, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'I 0R E. 0. Na? 2712 up BY M ATTORNEYS Witness. (-5 5 June 17, 1924. 1,497,869

E. c. NORTHRUP SIRUPER File D80- 29, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IT?! @1 L4- WITN a as; INVENTOR.

( f 5. c. NORTH/2w? -50) ATTORNEYS.

June 17, 1924, 1

E. C. NORTHRUP S IRUPER Filed Dec. 29, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ju e 17, 1924.

E. C. NORTHRUP SIRUPER Filed Dec. 29

1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N10 Er e WITNESS:

a6! f/M W BY A '1': R N NYS Patented Plane 1?, i924.

raiser SIR'UPER.

Application filed December 29, 1919. Serial No. 348,252.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER C. Noa'rrrnor,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful Siruper, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for introducing charges of syrup into containers, and the broad object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for introducing syrup into cans partially filled with fruit, and characterized by improved feeding means, improved charging head and superior simplicity in structure and reliability in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which the syrup charging means introduces into the can a quantity of syrup which varies in accordance with variations in the quantity of fruit in the can, but which always leaves substantially the same space at the top of the can unoccupied by syrup.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Y

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus. Figure 2 is an elevation largely in vertical section. The view is taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an elevation of the upper part of the apparatus taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an elevation of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 3, the view being taken in the direction of the arrow 4 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an elevation of one of the charging heads and the rocker mechanism, a portion of the head being shown in vertical section. Figure 6 is an elevation of one of the charging heads and the rocker mechanism, the view being taken from the direction indicated by the arrow 6 in Figure 3.

In terms of broad inclusion, the siru er of my invention comprises a syruping ta le rotatable about a vertical axis and provided with vertically movable supports for the reception of the cans into which the syrup is to be introduced, and upon which the cans are fed by a suitably arranged automatically operating conveyor. A rotary receiving table to which the syruped cans are shunted 18 disposed adjacent the rotary syruping table. A reservoir or tank for the syrup is 5 disposed upon the syrupmg table, and means automatically operated during the. rotation of the syruping table is provided for placing each can in direct communication with the syrup tanlr, so that syrup runs directly into each can to fill it full irrespective of the quantity of fruit in the can. The flow of syrup is'controlled by a valve which during the connection of the can with the tank lies partially within the can, displacing a known quantity of the syrup. When the valveis closed and the can witl'idrawn the quantity of syrup and fruit in the can is less than the. capacity of the can by the volume of that portion of the valve which was so immersed in the can. Since this volume is a constant; 1t follows that each can is filled to a certain point irrespective of variations in the volume of the contents, or even if the can is entirely empty, and that this vacant space is substantially constant for cans of the same size. Means are also provided for maintaining the syrup in the tank at a constant level; and for preventing the charging means from operating in the absence of a can to receive the charge.

Arranged on the base 6 is a supporting frame for the machine comprising a column 7 formed with a vertical bearing 8 at the tended upwardly in webs 18 to support a second pan shaped portion formed to provide an upper bearing 14 for the shaft and an annular flange 16 on which the cam track 17 is fixed.

Secured for rotation with the shaft 12 is 5 the syruping'table frame 18 provided around the shaft with a hub 19, between which and the face of the bearing 14, is interposed an annular wear plate 21 to take the vertical thrust of the shaft and attached parts.

Fixed on the head of the shaft 12 above the hub 19 by means of the hub 22 is a plate and flared outwardly about the beare5 ways 23 formin the bottom of the syrup tank, the side 0 which is formed by t e wall 24. Thus, syrup tank and syru mg table are fixed for rotation with the s aft 12, which is turned by a worm 26, in mesh with worm wheel 11, and fixed on the main driving shaft 27 journalled in suitable bearings 28 and 29 arranged on the frame. A pulley 31 driven from an suitable source of power is connected to sliaft 27 by clutch mechanism 32, and lever 33 connected to theclutch by well known instruments provides means for operating the clutch to start or stop the machine.

' A plurality of individual, can supports is arranged on the syruping table frame 18 to receive and hold the cans while the charge of syrup is introduced. Slidably mounted for vertical movement, in the periphery of the syruping table frame are stems 34 of rectan lar cross section, held in the slide 5; plates 36. A stud 37 projecting from the stem carries a roller 38 adapted to engage the face of the cam track-17. On the upper end of the stem is fixed a plate 39 on which the can 40 rests while on the syruping table. The top of the plate is flat and without flanges or corners in which drip pings may collect, and the can is positioned upon the plate by anarcuate stop 41, secured tothe plate by the arm 42 preferably integral therewith. The cam track is formed in tvi'o horizontal planes, and by reason of the engagement of the rollers 38 therewith each can support or plate 39' is raised and lowered during its presence on the syruping table. The cansare received on the can supports and discharged therefrom in the lower position, but are raised to the upper position to bring the up or end of the can into engagement with t e charging heads during a, portion of the revolution of the syruping table. I

Directly over each can support and arranged in the bottom plate 23 of the syrup tank is a charging head for. introducing syrup into each can. Each charging head comprises a frame 43 secured tothe bottom wall of the reservoir, and formed with a cylindrical flange 44 extending through an aperture in the reservoir bottom. The protruding end of the flange is surrounded with a' resilient ring or gasket 46 with which the upper edge of the can 40 forms a syrup-' tight contact when'the can support is raised bythe cam track. This gasket also forms aresilient valve seat for the valve 47 fixed on the stem 48, slidably mounted in the frame 43. A spring 49 interposed between the frame and the' stem, resiliently holds the valve in closed position on its seat. The upper end of the valve stem is provided with a pin 51 ad'ustable for height therein, and adapted to be enga d by a roller 52 on the arm 53 which is a ed on the rockervoir and supported on the main frame of the machine. into position to engage a pin 62 set in the frame 61 on the opposite side of'the axis 'of rotation of the tank from the arm 59.-

The proportion and arrangement of parts is such that during the operation of the machine, rotation of the tank causes each arm 56 moving with the tank in the direction of the arrow 63 to engage the arm end 58,

The arm 57 projects upwardlyturning the shaft 54 in the direction of the,

'gagement with the pin 51 thus thrusting down the pin and attached valve, and openingan annular passa e 66 about thevalve 47. Adjustment of t'e height of the pin 51 varies the amount of opening of the valve and the area of the passage 66. The arm 53 moves on the pin 51 slightly past the dead center, as shown in Figure 6, a stop 67 pre- ,arrow 64 and moving the arm 53 into ena venting further movement. The valve 47 remains open for about one-half the revolution of the tank and syrupin table, when thearm 57 engages the fixed pm 62 rocking the shaft 54 and throwing the arm 53 backwardly to first position, disengaging'the pin 51 and permitting the valve stem to rise 49, and

under the infiuence'of the sprin the valve 47 to close. A' sto 68 limits the movement of the rocker mec anism in this direction.

The timin of the operations 'is as follows. Short y after the can is received on the syrupi-ng' table, the cam track raises the can support, engagmg the upper edge of the can on the gasket 46 as shown in Figure 5.

The arm '56 of the rocker mechanism -then engages the end of the arm 59,,opening the valve 47 and permitting syrup to flow into the can. After about one-half a revolution the rocker mechanism is again actuated by the pin 62, to close the valve and shortly following this, the cam track drops to the lower plane, permitting the can support to return to first position and the can to separate from the charging head. .The can is automatically removed at this point and the can support passes on to receive its next can. Thus for a period the can is tightly sealed to the tank receiving therefrom all the syrup it will hold.

In order to prevent the formation of air bubbles under the valve 47, to insure a complete filling of the can with syrup and to avoid any suction by the'valve when the can is withdrawn, the lower face of the valve is lurality of grooves 69 he unfilled portion opening on the bottom of the valve and near the top of the stemabove the syrup level. The grooves permit free passage of the syrup, and escape of the air trapped between fruit and valve into the passage 71.

While the can is engaged with the gasket 46, the valve is partially within the can and of course displaces an equal volume of syrup. of the can is therefore determined by the volume of that portion of the valve immersed in the syrup after the closing of the valve and before the lowering of the can from the gasket. The valve therefore not onl functions as a valve but as a displacing e ement to determine the volume of the unfilled portion of the can. Cans are required to be only partially filled, and variation in the volume of the valve provides a ready means for varying the degree of fullness characterizing the cans as they leave the siruper.

Means are provided for preventing the opening of the valve 47 in the absence of a can on the syruping table to receive the flow of syrup. Pivotally mounted on the fixed arm 71 is an arm 72 projecting into the path of the moving cans. An arm 7 3 fixed to the arm 72 is connected through link 74, bellcrank lever 76, and link 77 to the end of the arm 59. With a can in position on the syruping table, the arm 72 is pressed out.- wardly from the table which results in a positioning of the arm 59 so that its end actuates the rocker mechanism. If no can is on one of the can supports as it passes the arm 72, the arm is drawn inwardly by the spring 78 resulting in pivotally moving the arm 59 to lower its end 58 so that the rocker mechanism is not engaged thereby the valve above the empty can support remaining closed.

Means are provided for feeding a continuous succession of cans upon the rotating table, without interrupting its rotary movement. A trackway comprising two parallel spaced rails 81 is suitably arranged adjacent the syruping table, the near end being supported on the frame of'the machine and the other by a leg 82. Two sprockets 83 and 81 are mounted below the trackway and a chain 80, provided at intervals with teeth 87, is disposed on the sprockets between the rails 81, the teeth projecting upwardly to engage cans resting thereon. The sprocket 84 is the driving sprocket for the chain and is fixed on a shaft 88 journaled in suitable bearings 89 and 91 on brackets extending from the main frame. The shaft is provided at one end with a-gear 92 meshing with a pinion 93 fixed for rotation with large gears 94 which is rotatable on the stud 96, and meshes with driving pinion 97 fixed on the main driving shaft 27. The spacing of the teeth 87 on the conveyor chain, and'the speed of the chain relative to the peripheral speed of the syruping table are suchthat with main-- terrupted or continuous rotation of the syruping table, a can is fed upon each can sup ort as it passes the end of the conveyor.

eans are provided for automatically removing the syruped cans from the syruping table. On the opposite end of the shaft 88 from the gear 92 is 2 bevel pinion 98 meshmg with bevel gear 99 fixed on the under side of the round receiving table 101 rotatably supported on the vertical shaft 102, journalled in a bracket extending from the main frame of the machine.

The top of the table 101 is on a level with the can supports in their lower position and the peripheral edge of the table is closely adjacent to the edge of each can support as it rotates by. Fixed on an adjacent portion of one of the rails 81 is a shunt arm 103 which at one end extends across the path of movement of the can resting on the syruping table, and at the other end curves about the periphery of the receiving table to form a guard 104.

As the syruping table turns, the filled cans are intercepted by the shunt arm 103 and forced off the can support onto the revolving receiving table, on by the guard pending their removal for the next step in the complete canning process.

Means are provided for maintaining the syrup in the tank at a substantially constant level. A float 106 is arranged in the tank on the stem 107 slidably mounted in the frame 61. A pair of collars 108 fixed on the stem engage the arms 109 which operate a valve 111 which controls the flow of syrup from a suitable source of supply through the conduit 112 to the vertical discharge pipe 113. Falling of the float with a lowering level of syrup in the tank opens the valve 111 and permits syrup to flow into the tank. When the float rises to its predetermined level the valve is closed.

it claim:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a rotatable syruping table, means for supporting cans to be syruped on said table, a syrup tank arranged above and for rotation with said table, means for moving said can supporting means to establish a temporary syrup-tight contact between the open top of a can thereon and the wall of said tank about a closed passage therethrough, a valve for controlling said passage and lying partly within the can during said temporary contact, and formed with grooves traversing the underside, and means for opening and closing said valve during said temporary contact.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a rotatable syruping table, means for supporting cans to be which they are retained ng said passage and lying partly within the can during said temporary contact, and formed with grooves traversing the under side, a stem on said valve formedwith a passage opening into the atmosphere and into said grooves, and means for opening and closing said valve during said temporary contact.

3. In a device for syruping cans, a ro-- tatable syrup tank formed with an aperture inthe bottom thereof, means for positioning a can in syrup-tight contact with said bottom about said aperture, a valve for closing said aperture and lying partially with in the can when so positioned and formed with grooves traversing the under side, a stem on said valve formed with a passage opening into the atmosphere and into said grooves, and means for moving said valve to open and close said aperture.

4. In a device for syruping cans, a rotatable syrup tank formed with ,an aperture in the bottom thereof, means for positioning a can in syrup-tight contact with said bot-- tom about said aperture, 'a frame disposed within the tank about the aperture, a valve slidably arranged f-in said frame for closing said aperture and lying partially within thecan when so positioned, means for resiliently, retaining said valve in closed position, a rocker shaft journalled in said frame, an arm on said shaft for engaging said valve to open it, means operated by the rotation of said tank for rocking said shaft to move said arm into engagement with said valve, and means operated by the rotation of said tank for roc ing said shaft to move said arm out of engagement with said valve.

5. In a device for syrupin cans, a rotatable syrup tank formed wit an aperture in the bottom thereof, a resilient ring on said bottom encircling said aperture, means for positioning an open topped can against said ring during a portion of'the rotation of said tank, a valve seating on said ring and lying partially within the can when so positioned to, displace a predetermined volume of syrup therefrom-,and means operated b the rotation of the tank for opening .sai valve to rmit syrup from the tank to flow into t e can and for closing sald valve.

6. In a device for syruping cans, a rotatable syrup tank formed with an aperture in the bottom thereof, a resilient ring on said bottom encircling said aperture, means for positioning an open topped can against said ring during a portion of the rotation of said tank, a valve seating on said ring and lying partially within the can when so positioned to displace a predetermined volume of syrup therefrom, means operated by the rotation of the tank'for opening said valve to permit syrup from the tank to flow into the can and for closing said valve, and means on said valve for formation of air bubbles under the valve and suction on the can contents when the can is unseated from said ring.

7. In a device for syruping cans, a rotatable syrup tank formed with an aperture in the bottom thereof, a frame fixed within the tank, and having an annular flange extending thru said aperture, a resilient rin disposed about said flange and upon said tom, means for positioning a can in syruptight contact wit said ring, a valve for closingsaid aperture mounted in said frame, andmeans for operating said valve.

8. In a device for syruping cans a syrup tank formed with an aperture in the bottom thereof, a resilient ring on said bottom surrounding said aperture,- a valve adapted to seat on said ring to close said aperture, means for positioning a can against said ring, and means for operating sald valve.

preventing the bot- I In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at city of Oakland, this 20th day of December, 1919.

ELMER C. NORTHRUP.

California, 

